Community Foundation Names Wike ‘Woman Warrior’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley this week named Julia Wike, pastor and director of Basement Outreach Ministries, a “Woman Warrior” on the front lines of the coronavirus health crisis. In the past eight weeks, Wike, a retired social worker, has worked long hours ordering and obtaining donated food, unloading trucks, documenting statistics, assuring funds are available, creating transportation routes by zip code and bagging groceries. She has also continued to manage the Basement Outreach Family Meal program. During the month of April alone, Basement Outreach delivered groceries, hot meals and personal care products to 908 men, women and children in 344 families. Wike organizes volunteers, giving each driver a binder with detailed information to ensure deliveries are smooth, safe and successful.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.